By Taylah Eastwell
Two Hills mates are gearing up to pedal a 537-kilometre route through the Grampians as part of the Great Victorian Bike Ride.
Kallista’s Tommy McBride, 16, and long-time pal Marco, from Menzies Creek, have vowed to traverse the winding roads of the Grampians as part of the biggest multi-day ride in the southern hemisphere.
The nine-day bike riding holiday is broken up by a bit of fun, with riders camping with around 3,000 other cyclists at the end of each day.
Starting in Rainbow on Saturday 27 November, riders will travel through the picturesque countryside of Brim, Horsham, Halls Gap, Dunkeld and Pomonal before finishing in Great Western at Seppelt Winery – averaging around 80km each day.
The boys will be joined on the ride with Marco’s dad, Dom, and his friend Derrick. The group canoed together down the Glenelg River in April and are looking forward to riding together for their next adventure.
Tommy and Marco are both avid bike riders, having rode to the nearest town within their 5km radius during lockdown to buy fish and chips for lunch. They both love riding around the Hills and getting outdoors.
The mountain bike trails around the Dandenong Ranges and Yarra Valley is where most of their fun is had.
“I love riding the mountain bike trails around the Dandenong Ranges and in particular Silvan as well as Lysterfield Lake MTB Track,” Tommy said.
“Anything that challenges me and pushes me and gives me that adrenaline rush – I love the jumps – its awesome. Buxton is great fun too and we’re looking forward to getting up to the Warby trail when it is opened,” he added.
Tommy said it is disappointing that the June 9 storms destroyed parts of the Silvan trails.
“The destruction is extreme. Hopefully it will be cleaned up so we can get back to it as it’s healthy being outdoors doing something I really enjoy,” Tommy said.
For Marco, the best tracks are found at Lysterfield Lake or along the Warburton Trail where he and his dad did the Eastern 80 charity ride when he was in Grade Six.
“The trail runs from Warburton to Lilydale and out to Yering Station in the Yarra Valley and all up is 47.5km one way. It’s mostly flat but has a lot of different scenery so it’s a really pretty and an interesting ride and there are places to stop for coffee or something to eat,” Marco said.
The riders will camp after each day of riding with around 3,000 other participants.
Participants will traverse through the Grampians National Park and pass a number of art silos. It will also include a ride out of Horsham to arts hub Natimuk and a rest day in Halls Gap, offering the full chance to slow down and see Victoria from the seat of a bicycle.
For more information visit greatvic.com.au.
